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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. W. A. BARTLETT.

PNEUMATIC "GANNON Patented June 10, 1890.

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W' A1 BARTLETTI 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. PNEUMATIG CANNON.

No. 429,595. Patented June 10. 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

YVALLACE A. BARTLETT, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT AOF COLUMBIA,

ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TI-IE PNEUMATIC DYNA- MITE GUNCOMPANY, OF NET YORK, N. Y.

PNEUMATlC CANNON.

l SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,59 5, dated .Tune 10, 189D.

Application filed November 29, 1884. Renewed April Z4, 1890. Serial No.349,206. (No model.)

erence being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention relates to pneumatic cannon intended for shortrange, as for throwin g frangible projectiles filled with chemicals forextinguishing lires.

The invention consists in certain details of construction andcombinations of parts, as hereinafter set forth andclaimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan of the gas-flask, showing thegun-tube in section. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the flask andconnections, the gun-tube being partly broken away. Fig. 3 is aview ofone of the connecting-yokes. Fig. 4 is an end view of the valvebox. Fig.5 1s a plan, partly sectioned, of

the supply-pipe, gun-tube, and universal coupling or joint by which thegun may be trained. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the gun-tube,sleeve, and universal coupling. Figs. 7, S, and 9 are details of thevalve. Fig. l0 is an elevation ot' a modification of a gun mounted in awagon. Fig. ll is a plan of same gun. Fig. l2 is a partial section andpartial elevation of same. Fig. 13 is a crosssection of the connectionsfrom flask to gun. Figs. 14 and 15 are details showing breechclosingblock.

A represent-s the gas-flask, which is made in sect-ions l 2 3. Theseiiask-sections are connected by pipe 4., and one or two sections can becut oft from the operating-section l, so that in case there is not timeto work up the usual normal pressure in the whole iiask a part only ofthe flask may be, used, the remaining sections being cut off by thevalves. The connection from the compressor may be made with the section1, which is connected to the gun-tube, or with section 3, and theinterposed valves may be reducing-valves.

The rlask-sections l 2 3 are held together by as many yokes B as may benecessary to give iirmness. Section 2 may on occasion be dispensed with.

rlhe gun-tube is mounted on a cross-pipe C, one end of which issupported on a standard D, the other end resting on a pipe E, whichcommunicates with section 1 of The iiask` One end of the supply-pipe Cforms the valve-casing F, in which is the balanced valve G G", theperforated disk G being balanced by that of G and finding its bearingagainst the perforated disk K. The valve may be oscillated by handle Ion rod II, and the movement of said handle througha part of a revolutionwill both open and close the valve by bringing theholes in plate Galternately before the holes and the unbroken portion of plate K. StopsS 8 on the head 9 will stop the valve in closed position. When thehandle I is at the extremity of its movement in either direction, thevalve may be opened and closed by swinging the lever in the otherdirection.

The supply-pipe C leads to a chamber L, which forms part of a universaljoint, the cap M serving to retain the other j oint-section N inposition.

The globe-joint piece N serves as a support for the gun-tube O, whichhas an opening Pin one side above the globe. The opening P may be closedby a sleeve Q, which moves on the tube,l either longitudinally thereof,as shown, or by oscillating around the tube, in which case the sleeve,like the tube, will have an opening for the passage of the projectile. V

A ring or cross-bar R serves to sustain the projectile when in the tube.

A set-screw S may be applied to the cap' M and will hold the piece N andthe barrel in adjusted position, or a wedge may be substituted for thescrew.

The object of the construction described herein is to give universalmovement to the gun-tube about a iiXed point at the breech instead of atsome point forward of the breech, so that the aperture for receiving theprojectile will remain in practically one position, both as to elevationand traverse, no matter what the training of the gun may be.

For throwing projectiles for extinguishing ires-such, for instance, asare described in my patent of December 9, 1884, for projectiles-thegunner may direct the gun-barrel as a fireman directs the hose of anengine,

and can rapidly change direction, so as to throw into any Window in thefront of the building. The tube may of course have partial or entiresupport by rods, as shown in Fig. 10.

A modification of the supply-pipe and connections is shown in Fig. 13,in which E is the connection from the flask to valve; Gr G2, thevalve-disks; and C C the supply-pipes leading to the gun-tube O', whichis mounted on trunnion 1 the elevation being effected by a movement onthe trunnions, and the traverse by a swivel movement of theconnecting-pipe E. The side pipes C C may be cast as a pair and unitedby passing sleeve 5 around them.

The breech-closing mechanism may be any be supported on the flask orother convenient support, but should be of light weight.

I claim- 1. In apneumatic cannon, the combination, with the gas-flaskand supply-pipe, of a breechloading gun-tube having a universal joint tothe supply-pipe forward of the recoil-abutment, and a controlling-valvein rear of said universal coupling, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the gas-flask and gun-tube connected by-auniversal joint, of a clamping device, substantially as described,operating on the joint to sustain the tube in position. n

3. The combination, with the gas-flask,of a gun-tube swiveled thereto atthe breech, so as to have universal movement, and eXtensiblesupporting-rods connected to the barrel in front of the breech,substantially as described. 1

4. The combination, with a gas-flask, supply-pipe, and gun-tubeconnected to the supply-pipe by a universal joint and having aloading-opening in front of the joint, of a sleeve on the tube forclosing said opening, as set forth. n

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VALLACE A. BARTLETT.

Witnesses:

M. L. WILLIAMS, PHILIP MAURO.

